American ethnobotanist and writer Terence McKenna passed away on April 3, 2000 at the age of 53. McKenna was best known for his studies in psychedelics and their impact on cultural practices throughout history. A practitioner of conscious-altering drugs, McKenna explored the limits of human consciousness with the help of these substances. Through his research and vast library of works, he encouraged open discourse about psychedelics and their role in society. Born in 1946, McKenna attended the University of California at Berkeley and earned his Bachelor's degree in ecology and conservation from San Francisco State College in 1975. He soon became a frequent lecturer and public speaker on the potential of psychedelics to open the mind and better understand the nuances of the spiritual and physical worlds. McKenna was most celebrated for his books and lectures, which offered insight into humanity's complex connection to nature and existence. His theories normally drew on elements of eastern traditions and alternative sciences. Coupled with his vast knowledge of psychedelics and its history, he influenced the thinking of many in the spiritual and alternative research communities. McKenna's profound theories and dedication to humanity's connection to nature will live on in his books and in the minds of those who listened to his teachings.